The BC SPCA is making it easier to say “yes” to pets 

For many of us, home is where we share our lives with our family. And for more than half of British Columbians, family includes pets. 

However, a widespread lack of pet-friendly housing makes it hard (and expensive) to find a home that welcomes furry family members. When people are forced to choose between their pets’ love and support and a safe, affordable place to live, both decisions are heartbreaking. 

Each year, hundreds of healthy adult animals come into BC SPCA care because their families can’t find housing that allows pets. But pet-friendly housing isn’t only about animals. Pets help people stay physically and mentally healthy and heal and cope during hard times. They support children as they grow and older adults as they age, and reduce stress, depression, and loneliness. Sadly, vulnerable people who depend on their pets the most also face the biggest housing barriers.  

We’re advocates for pet-friendly housing, which is one of the reasons all new Community Land Trust co-ops are pet-friendly, but we also know that housing people and pets together can be challenging. That’s why the BC SPCA built a toolkit to support housing providers. 

Alongside other non-profit housing providers, we provided input into the BC SPCA’s new Pet-Friendly Housing Toolkit for Housing Providers. The Toolkit contains: 

• Evidence of the support pets provide, especially for vulnerable people 

• A summary of input from non-profit housing providers 

• Templates to help build a comprehensive pet policy 

• Easy-to-understand animal care guides to share with staff and tenants 

• Links to community supports for pet food, veterinary care and training 

Learn more about the benefits of pets and the BC SPCA’s advocacy at spca.bc.ca/pet-friendly-housing.  

Help improve the Toolkit by sending your feedback to [email protected]. 

Article published with support from Sarah Herring, BC SPCA Government Relations Officer.